The intensive bombardment of Beirut prompted President Reagan to call Mr. Begin and demand an immediate cease fire. He used the term "Holocaust" in his conversation with Mr. Begin, a term the Israeli leader rejected. Mr. Begin informed the President that the Cabinet decided to accept a cease fire effective that day at 1700 hours. It was also decided that the use of the air force would be undertaken only after authorization by the Prime Minister. Highlights of the events was contained in the following announcement:
The Prime Minister's office today issued the following statement:
"Between 14:00 and 15:00 hours this afternoon, the Cabinet met and discussed proposals regarding the activity around Beirut. The Cabinet resolved not to adopt any of the proposals that had been brought up and to order the air force to stop the aerial bombings.
"At 17:30 hours, President Reagan telephoned the Prime Minister and requested a cease-fire. The Prime Minister informed him that two and a half hours previously the Cabinet had decided to stop activity from the air, and the Prime Minister told the President that he would speak to the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff and that everything the army had been doing was in the defense of I.D.F. soldiers.
"When the conversation with the President ended, the Prime Minister contacted the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff informed the Prime Minister that we had stopped shooting and that we are not firing anywhere. Immediately afterward, the Prime Minister, on his own initiative, called the President and relayed this message to him.
"The President expressed his gratitude, and the conversation ended with the words, 'Menachem, Shalom."'